Lens drive device

ABSTRACT

A lens drive for driving a lens having, in seriatum along the optical axis of the lens, a base member, an X-axis movable object, a Y-axis movable object and a lens carrier. The base member, the X-axis movable object, the Y-axis movable object and the lens carrier overlap circumferentially around the optical axis in the direction of the optical axis. A first conductive suspension wire connects wiring of the Y-axis movable object and the base member. A second conductive suspension wire connects wiring of the X-axis movable object and the base member. The first and second conductive suspension wires have substantially the same length.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2016-150258, filed on Jul. 29, 2016, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lens drive device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a lens drive device adopting a smooth impact drivemechanism is known as a kind of a lens drive device used in an imagingapparatus mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

The lens drive device adopting the smooth impact drive mechanism isdisclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-42551, forexample. The lens drive device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2009-42551 moves a lens unit in a direction orthogonalto a direction of an optical axis by two actuators using the smoothimpact drive mechanism and realizes a shake correction function. Inaddition, the lens drive device moves the lens unit in the direction ofthe optical axis by the actuators using the smooth impact drivemechanism and realizes a zoom function (autofocus function).

In the lens drive device, a plurality of movable objects are providedwith respect to a base member. The lens drive device moves the movableobjects to the base member and realizes the shake correction functionand the zoom function. In addition, in the lens drive device, the basemember and the plurality of movable objects are connected by a pluralityof conductive wiring lines.

SUMMARY

In the lens drive device, when the plurality of movable objects aremoved, a variation may occur in the movement of the movable objects, dueto the wiring lines connecting the base member and the movable objects.For this reason, in a field of the lens drive device, it is requiredthat the movement variation of the movable objects is suppressed and themovable objects are stably moved, at the time of drive by the actuators.

Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a lens drive devicecapable of suppressing movement variations of movable objects and movingthe movable objects stably.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a lens drive devicefor driving a lens, includes: a base member; an X-axis movable objectconfigured to be disposed to overlap the base member in a direction ofan optical axis of the lens; an X-axis actuator configured to beprovided in the base member, engage with the X-axis movable object, andmove the X-axis movable object in an X-axis direction orthogonal to thedirection of the optical axis of the lens; a Y-axis movable objectconfigured to be disposed to overlap the X-axis movable object at theside opposite to the side provided with the base member in the directionof the optical axis of the lens; a Y-axis actuator configured to beprovided in the X-axis movable object, engage with the Y-axis movableobject, and move the Y-axis movable object in a Y-axis directionorthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of the lens and crossingthe X-axis direction; a lens carrier configured to be disposed tooverlap the Y-axis movable object at the side opposite to the sideprovided with the X-axis movable object in the direction of the opticalaxis of the lens and to hold the lens; a carrier actuator configured tobe provided in the Y-axis movable object, engage with the lens carrier,and move the lens carrier in the direction of the optical axis of thelens; a position sensor configured to be provided in the Y-axis movableobject and detect a position of the lens carrier for the Y-axis movableobject; a conductive first suspension wire configured to connect anelectric wiring line provided in the Y-axis movable object connected tothe carrier actuator or an electric wiring line provided in the Y-axismovable object connected to the position sensor and an electric wiringline provided in the base member; and a conductive second suspensionwire configured to connect an electric wiring line provided in theX-axis movable object connected to the Y-axis actuator and the electricwiring line provided in the base member, wherein, in a connectionposition of the first suspension wire and the electric wiring lineprovided in the Y-axis movable object and a connection position of thesecond suspension wire and the electric wiring line provided in theX-axis movable object, height positions along the direction of theoptical axis of the lens from the base member are almost the same.

The connection position of the first suspension wire and the electricwiring line provided in the Y-axis movable object and the connectionposition of the second suspension wire and the electric wiring lineprovided in the X-axis movable object are almost the same heightpositions. Therefore, the first suspension wire and the secondsuspension wire have almost the same lengths. As a result, an influence(elastic influence) on the X-axis movable object from the secondsuspension wire when the X-axis movable object moves and an influence(elastic influence) on the Y-axis movable object from the firstsuspension wire when the Y-axis movable object moves can be equalized(aligned). As such, the influences on the X-axis movable object and theY-axis movable object from the suspension wires are equalized. For thisreason, even though the first suspension wire and the second suspensionwire are provided, the X-axis movable object and the Y-axis movableobject can be stably moved by suppressing movement variations of theX-axis movable object and the Y-axis movable object.

The lens drive device may further include: an X-axis movable objectholding portion configured to be provided at a position facing theX-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the X-axismovable object holding portion and the X-axis actuator in the basemember and to hold the X-axis movable object to be movable in the X-axisdirection with respect to the base member; and a Y-axis movable objectholding portion configured to be provided at a position facing theY-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the Y-axismovable object holding portion and the Y-axis actuator in the X-axismovable object and to hold the Y-axis movable object to be movable inthe Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis movable object.

In this case, in the lens drive device, the X-axis movable objectholding portion holds the X-axis movable object to be movable in theX-axis direction. As a result, when the X-axis movable object is movedby the X-axis actuator, the X-axis movable object can be stably moved inthe X-axis direction by suppressing looseness. In addition, the X-axismovable object holding portion is provided at the position facing theX-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the X-axismovable object holding portion and the X-axis actuator in the basemember, so that the X-axis movable object holding portion can hold theX-axis movable object with the gravity center of the lens between theX-axis movable object holding portion and the X-axis actuator. As aresult, the lens drive device can move the X-axis movable object in theX-axis direction more stably by the X-axis actuator and the X-axismovable object holding portion.

Likewise, for the Y-axis movable object, the lens drive device includesthe Y-axis movable object holding portion. Therefore, when the Y-axismovable object is moved, the Y-axis movable object can be stably movedin the Y-axis direction by suppressing looseness. In addition, theY-axis movable object holding portion is provided at the position facingthe Y-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the Y-axismovable object holding portion and the Y-axis actuator in the X-axismovable object, so that the Y-axis movable object holding portion canhold the Y-axis movable object with the gravity center of the lensbetween the Y-axis movable object holding portion and the Y-axisactuator. As a result, the lens drive device can move the Y-axis movableobject in the Y-axis direction more stably by the Y-axis actuator andthe Y-axis movable object holding portion.

The X-axis actuator may have an X-axis piezoelectric element expandingand contracting in the X-axis direction and an X-axis drive shaft fixedon one end portion of the X-axis direction in the X-axis piezoelectricelement, the X-axis movable object may have an X-axis frictionengagement portion frictionally engaging with outer circumference of theX-axis drive shaft, the Y-axis actuator may have a Y-axis piezoelectricelement expanding and contracting in the Y-axis direction and a Y-axisdrive shaft fixed on one end portion of the Y-axis direction in theY-axis piezoelectric element, the Y-axis movable object may have aY-axis friction engagement portion frictionally engaging with outercircumference of the Y-axis drive shaft, the carrier actuator may have aZ-axis piezoelectric element expanding and contracting in the directionof the optical axis of the lens and a Z-axis drive shaft fixed on oneend portion of the direction of the optical axis in the Z-axispiezoelectric element, and the lens carrier may have a Z-axis frictionengagement portion frictionally engaging with outer circumference of theZ-axis drive shaft. In this case, the X-axis piezoelectric element, theY-axis piezoelectric element, and the Z-axis piezoelectric element areexpanded and contracted, so that the X-axis movable object, the Y-axismovable object, and the lens carrier can be moved in the X-axisdirection, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, respectively.

The X-axis movable object may have a rising portion configured to riseto the side of the Y-axis movable object and in which the electricwiring line connected to the Y-axis actuator is provided on a surface atthe side of the Y-axis movable object, the second suspension wire mayconnect the electric wiring line provided in the rising portion and theelectric wiring line provided in the base member, a connection positionof the second suspension wire and the electric wiring line provided inthe rising portion may be located in the same side with the lens carrieragainst a surface of the Y-axis movable object at the side of the X-axismovable object, in the direction of the optical axis of the lens, in aconnection position of the first suspension wire and the electric wiringline provided in the Y-axis movable object and a connection position ofthe second suspension wire and the electric wiring line provided in therising portion, height positions along the direction of the optical axisof the lens from the base member may be almost the same. As such, therising portion is provided in the X-axis movable object, so that theconnection position of the second suspension wire and the electricwiring line provided in the rising portion can be separated from thebase member. The connection position of the first suspension wire andthe electric wiring line provided in the Y-axis movable object and theconnection position of the second suspension wire and the electricwiring line provided in the rising portion are almost the same heightpositions. For this reason, the individual connection positions can beseparated from the base member. As such, the connection positions areseparated from the base member, so that the large lengths of the firstsuspension wire and the second suspension wire can be secured. When themovable objects on the base member move, the influences on the movableobjects from the first suspension wire and the second suspension wirecan be decreased (the elasticity can be decreased by increasing thelengths). As a result, even though the first suspension wire and thesecond suspension wire are provided, the movable objects on the basemember can be moved more stably.

The lens drive device further includes: a conductive third suspensionwire configured to connect a first electric wiring line provided in theY-axis movable object connected to the position sensor and the electricwiring line provided in the base member; and a conductive fourthsuspension wire configured to connect a second electric wiring lineprovided in the Y-axis movable object connected to the position sensorand the electric wiring line provided in the base member, wherein thefirst suspension wire may connect the electric wiring line connected tothe carrier actuator and the electric wiring line provided in the basemember, the base member may have an approximately rectangular shapehaving four corner portions, when viewed from the direction of theoptical axis of the lens, and the first suspension wire, the secondsuspension wire, the third suspension wire, and the fourth suspensionwire may be located in the four corner portions in the base member,respectively. As such, the suspension wires are provided in the fourcorner portions of the base member, respectively. Therefore, when thesuspension wires affect the movable objects on the base member, adeviation of the influences can be suppressed.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, movable objects can bemoved stably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a lens drive device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view when a lens drive unit of FIG. 1 is viewedfrom the side of an X-axis actuator;

FIG. 3 is a lateral view when the lens drive unit of FIG. 2 is viewedfrom the side of an X-axis movable object holding portion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a basemember;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an X-axismovable object;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view when a state in which the base member andthe X-axis movable object are combined is viewed from the side of theX-axis movable object holding portion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view when a state in which the base member andthe X-axis movable object are combined is viewed from the side of theX-axis actuator;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view when a state in which a base body portion and anX-axis movable object body portion are combined is viewed from the sideof an X-axis movable object body portion;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a Y-axismovable object;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view when a state in which the base member, theX-axis movable object, and the Y-axis movable object are combined isviewed from the side of the X-axis movable object holding portion;

FIG. 13 is a lateral view when a state in which the base member, theX-axis movable object, and the Y-axis movable object are combined isviewed from the side of the Y-axis actuator;

FIG. 14 is a lateral view when a state in which the base member, theX-axis movable object, and the Y-axis movable object are combined isviewed from the side of the Y-axis movable object holding portion;

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the base bodyportion, the X-axis movable object body portion, and the Y-axis movableobject are combined;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a lens carrier;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view when a state in which the base member, theX-axis movable object, the Y-axis movable object, and the lens carrierare combined is viewed from the side of the X-axis movable objectholding portion;

FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the base bodyportion, the X-axis movable object body portion, the Y-axis movableobject, and the lens carrier are combined;

FIG. 19 is a plan view when the lens drive unit is viewed from the sideof an auxiliary member;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a lens carrier according to amodification; and

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a surrounding portion ofa carrier convex portion of a lens drive unit according to themodification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, thesame elements are denoted with the same reference numerals and repeatedexplanation is omitted.

A lens drive device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on animaging apparatus such as a digital camera, for example, and drives alens 4. The lens drive device 1 includes a lens drive unit 2 and a cover3. The lens drive device 1 has an optical axis L of the lens 4 to beattached to the lens drive unit 2.

In the individual drawings, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system isillustrated for the convenience of description. A Z-axis directionbecomes a direction of the optical axis L of the lens 4 to be attached.An X-axis direction is orthogonal to the direction of the optical axisL. A Y-axis direction is orthogonal to the direction of the optical axisL and is orthogonal to the X-axis direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lens drive unit 2 includes a basemember 100, an X-axis movable object 200, a Y-axis movable object 300,and a lens carrier 400. The base member 100, the X-axis movable object200, the Y-axis movable object 300, and the lens carrier 400 arearranged along the direction of the optical axis L in this order. Thelens drive unit 2 further includes an auxiliary member 500 that isdisposed to cover a surrounding portion of the lens carrier 400.

Specifically, the X-axis movable object 200 is disposed to overlap thebase member 100 in the direction of the optical axis L. The Y-axismovable object 300 is disposed to overlap the X-axis movable object 200at the side opposite to the side (side which the base member 100overlaps) provided with the base member 100, in the direction of theoptical axis L. The lens carrier 400 is disposed to overlap the Y-axismovable object 300 at the side opposite to the side (side which theX-axis movable object 200 overlaps) provided with the X-axis movableobject 200, in the direction of the optical axis L.

The X-axis movable object 200 is supported by the base member 100 to bemovable relatively in the X-axis direction with respect to the basemember 100. The Y-axis movable object 300 is supported by the X-axismovable object 200 to be movable relatively in the Y-axis direction withrespect to the X-axis movable object 200.

The lens carrier 400 is supported by the Y-axis movable object 300 to bemovable in the direction of the optical axis L.

First, a surrounding portion of the base member 100 will be described indetail. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the base member 100 includes a basebody portion 110, a first convex portion 111, and a second convexportion 112. The base body portion 110 is an approximately rectangularmember having four corner portions, when viewed from the direction ofthe optical axis L. For the convenience of description, four sidesconfiguring an outer circumferential edge of the base body portion 110when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L are called sidesH11, H12, H13, and H14. The sides H11 and H12 are parallel to each otherand extend along the X-axis direction. The sides H13 and H14 areparallel to each other and extend along the Y-axis direction. When thebase body portion 110 is viewed from the direction of the optical axisL, the individual sides are connected in order of the sides H11, H14,H12, and H13 and the outer circumferential edge is formed.

A circular opening portion 110 a with the optical axis L as a center isprovided in the base body portion 110. The first convex portion 111 andthe second convex portion 112 are provided on a surface of the base bodyportion 110 at the side of the X-axis movable object 200 (surface of thebase body portion 110 at the side which the X-axis movable object 200overlaps). The first convex portion 111 and the second convex portion112 are provided in the same side with the side H12 against the openingportion 110 a, on the surface of the base body portion 110. The firstconvex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112 are arranged in theX-axis direction. A predetermined gap is formed in the X-axis directionbetween the first convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112.Grooves that extend along the X-axis direction and have an approximatelyV shape are provided in top surfaces (top portions) of the first convexportion 111 and the second convex portion 112, that is, surfaces of thefirst convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112 at the sideof the X-axis movable object 200. The base body portion 110 and thefirst convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112 areintegrally provided.

An X-axis movable object holding portion 120 is provided in the sameside with the side H11 against the opening portion 110 a, on the surfaceof the base body portion 110 at the side of the X-axis movable object200. The X-axis movable object holding portion 120 includes a supportportion 121 and a shaft portion 122. The support portion 121 is fixed onthe surface of the base body portion 110 at the side of the X-axismovable object 200. The shaft portion 122 is formed in a columnar shapeand is disposed to extend along the X-axis direction. The supportportion 121 supports a center portion of the shaft portion 122. Gaps areprovided between both end portions of the shaft portion 122 and the basebody portion 110. The base body portion 110 and the X-axis movableobject holding portion 120 are integrally provided.

An X-axis actuator 130 is provided in the same side with the side H12against the opening portion 110 a, on the surface of the base bodyportion 110 at the side of the X-axis movable object 200. The X-axisactuator 130 and the X-axis movable object holding portion 120 face eachother with the optical axis L between the X-axis actuator 130 and theX-axis movable object holding portion 120.

The X-axis actuator 130 is an actuator that configures a smooth impactdrive mechanism. The X-axis actuator 130 includes a prismatic X-axispiezoelectric element 131, an X-axis drive shaft 132, and a weightportion 133.

The X-axis piezoelectric element 131 is an element that can expand andcontract in the X-axis direction. The X-axis piezoelectric element 131is configured using a piezoelectric material. As the piezoelectricmaterial, an inorganic piezoelectric material such as lead zirconatetitanate (so-called PZT), crystal, lithium niobate (LiNbO₃), potassiumtantalate niobate (K(Ta,Nb)O₃), barium titanate (BaTiO₃), lithiumtantalate (LiTaO₃), and strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) can be used. TheX-axis piezoelectric element 131 can have a lamination structure inwhich a plurality of piezoelectric layers made of the piezoelectricmaterial and a plurality of electrode layers are alternately laminated.The expansion and the contraction of the X-axis piezoelectric element131 can be controlled by controlling a voltage applied to the X-axispiezoelectric element 131.

The X-axis piezoelectric element 131 is not limited to the prismaticshape and may have a shape in which the X-axis piezoelectric element 131can expand and contract in the X-axis direction, for example, a columnarshape.

The X-axis drive shaft 132 is formed in a columnar shape and is disposedsuch that an axis line of a columnar shape extends along the X-axisdirection. The X-axis drive shaft 132 is configured using a compositeresin material including a fiber such as a carbon fiber.

One end portion of the X-axis direction in the X-axis drive shaft 132 isfixed on one end portion of the X-axis direction in the X-axispiezoelectric element 131. The surface of the X-axis drive shaft 132 atthe side of the base body portion 110 is supported by the first convexportion 111 and the second convex portion 112 provided in the base bodyportion 110. The X-axis drive shaft 132 is not fixed on the first convexportion 111 and the second convex portion 112 and is slidable along theX-axis direction with respect to the first convex portion 111 and thesecond convex portion 112.

The weight portion 133 is fixed on the other end portion of the X-axisdirection in the X-axis piezoelectric element 131. The weight portion133 is formed of a material having a high specific gravity such astungsten and a tungsten alloy and is designed to be heavier than theX-axis drive shaft 132. By designing the weight portion 133 to beheavier than the X-axis drive shaft 132, when the X-axis piezoelectricelement 131 expands and contracts, the weight portion 133 is hard to bedisplaced and the X-axis drive shaft 132 can be efficiently displaced.

An actuator holding portion 110 b that rises to the side of the X-axismovable object 200 is provided on the surface of the base body portion110 at the side of the X-axis movable object 200. The surface of theweight portion 133 at the side opposite to the side on which the X-axispiezoelectric element 131 is fixed on the actuator holding portion 110b. As a result, the X-axis actuator 130 is fixed on the actuator holdingportion 110 b while the X-axis drive shaft 132 is supported by the firstconvex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112.

An adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive can be used for fixation of theX-axis piezoelectric element 131 and the X-axis drive shaft 132,fixation of the X-axis piezoelectric element 131 and the weight portion133, and fixation of the weight portion 133 and the actuator holdingportion 110 b.

Next, a configuration of the X-axis movable object 200 and a supportconfiguration of the X-axis movable object 200 by the base member 100will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the X-axismovable object 200 includes an X-axis movable object body portion 210, afirst convex portion 211, a second convex portion 212, an X-axisfriction engagement portion 240, and an X-axis support portion 250.

The X-axis movable object body portion 210 is an approximatelyrectangular member having four corner portions, when viewed from thedirection of the optical axis L. For the convenience of description,four sides configuring an outer circumferential edge of the X-axismovable object body portion 210 when viewed from the direction of theoptical axis L are called sides H21, H22, H23, and H24 (refer to FIG.7). A circular opening portion 210 a with the optical axis L as a centeris provided in the X-axis movable object body portion 210. The openingportion 210 a provided in the X-axis movable object body portion 210 andthe opening portion 110 a provided in the base body portion 110 havealmost the same sizes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the side H21 is a side located at theside of the side H11 of the base member 100 with respect to the openingportion 210 a, when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L in astate in which the X-axis movable object 200 overlaps the base member100. Likewise, the side H22 is a side located at the side of the sideH12 of the base member 100 with respect to the opening portion 210 a.The side H23 is a side located at the side of the side H13 of the basemember 100 with respect to the opening portion 210 a. The side H24 is aside located at the side of the side H14 of the base member 100 withrespect to the opening portion 210 a.

The first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion 212 areprovided on a surface of the X-axis movable object body portion 210 atthe side of the Y-axis movable object 300 (surface of the X-axis movableobject body portion 210 at the side which the Y-axis movable object 300overlaps). The first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion212 are provided in the same side with the side H23 against the openingportion 210 a, on the surface of the X-axis movable object body portion210. The first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion 212 arearranged in the Y-axis direction. A predetermined gap is formed in theY-axis direction between the first convex portion 211 and the secondconvex portion 212. Grooves that extend along the Y-axis direction andhave an approximately V shape are provided in top surfaces (topportions) of the first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion212, that is, surfaces of the first convex portion 211 and the secondconvex portion 212 at the side of the Y-axis movable object 300. TheX-axis movable object body portion 210 and the first convex portion 211and the second convex portion 212 are integrally provided.

A Y-axis movable object holding portion 220 is provided in the same sidewith the side H24 against the opening portion 210 a, on the surface ofthe X-axis movable object body portion 210 at the side of the Y-axismovable object 300. The Y-axis movable object holding portion 220includes a support portion 221 and a shaft portion 222. The supportportion 221 is fixed on the surface of the X-axis movable object bodyportion 210 at the side of the Y-axis movable object 300. The shaftportion 222 is formed in a columnar shape and is disposed to extendalong the Y-axis direction. The support portion 221 supports a centerportion of the shaft portion 222. Gaps are provided between both endportions of the shaft portion 222 and the X-axis movable object bodyportion 210. The X-axis movable object body portion 210 and the Y-axismovable object holding portion 220 are integrally provided.

The X-axis friction engagement portion 240 is provided in an end portionof the X-axis movable object body portion 210 at the side of the sideH22. The X-axis friction engagement portion 240 protrudes in a directionseparated from the opening portion 210 a along the Y-axis direction,from the X-axis movable object body portion 210. A groove that extendsalong the X-axis direction and has an approximately V shape is providedin a surface of the X-axis friction engagement portion 240 at the sideof the Y-axis movable object 300. Hereinafter, the surface of the X-axisfriction engagement portion 240 provided with the groove of the V shapeis called a V-shaped surface 240 a.

The X-axis support portion 250 is provided in an end portion of theX-axis movable object body portion 210 at the side of the side H21. TheX-axis support portion 250 includes a first X-axis support portion 251and a second X-axis support portion 252. The first X-axis supportportion 251 is located in the same side with the side H23 against thesecond X-axis support portion 252.

The first X-axis support portion 251 includes a pair of plate portions251 a and 251 b and a raised portion 251 c. The pair of plate portions251 a and 251 b extends from the end portion of the X-axis movableobject body portion 210 at the side of the side H21 to the sideseparated from the opening portion 210 a along the Y-axis direction. Apredetermined gap capable of inserting the end portion of the shaftportion 122 of the X-axis movable object holding portion 120 is providedin the direction of the optical axis L between the plate portions 251 aand 251 b. The plate portion 251 a is located in the same side with thebase member 100 against the plate portion 251 b. The raised portion 251c is provided on a surface of the plate portion 251 a at the side of theplate portion 251 b. In the raised portion 251 c, a top portion extendsalong the Y-axis direction. The raised portion 251 c protrudes from theplate portion 251 a, such that a cross section in the X-axis directionhas an approximately circular arc shape.

The second X-axis support portion 252 includes a pair of plate portions252 a and 252 b and a raised portion 252 c. The pair of plate portions252 a and 252 b extends from the end portion of the X-axis movableobject body portion 210 at the side of the side H21 to the sideseparated from the opening portion 210 a along the Y-axis direction. Apredetermined gap capable of inserting the end portion of the shaftportion 122 of the X-axis movable object holding portion 120 is providedin the direction of the optical axis L between the plate portions 252 aand 252 b. The plate portion 252 a is located in the same side with thebase member 100 against the plate portion 252 b. The raised portion 252c is provided on a surface of the plate portion 252 a at the side of theplate portion 252 b. In the raised portion 252 c, a top portion extendsalong the Y-axis direction. The raised portion 252 c protrudes from theplate portion 252 a, such that a cross section in the X-axis directionhas an approximately circular arc shape.

Next, a state in which the X-axis movable object 200 overlaps the basemember 100 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, in a statein which the X-axis movable object 200 overlaps the base member 100,both end portions of the shaft portion 122 of the X-axis movable objectholding portion 120 are fitted between the plate portions 251 a and 251b of the X-axis support portion 250 and between the plate portions 252 aand 252 b of the X-axis support portion 250, respectively.

In addition, the X-axis movable object body portion 210 is provided witha pressing member 253 of which one end portion is fixed on the X-axismovable object body portion 210 and the other end portion comes intocontact with the shaft portion 122 of the X-axis movable object holdingportion 120. The pressing member 253 has elasticity. The other endportion of the pressing member 253 comes into contact with the shaftportion 122, so that the pressing member 253 lifts the X-axis movableobject body portion 210 in a direction separated from the base bodyportion 110.

As a result, an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 122of the X-axis movable object holding portion 120 and the raised portion251 c of the first X-axis support portion 251 and the raised portion 252c of the second X-axis support portion 252 come into contact with eachother. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the shaftportion 122 and the raised portions 251 c and 252 c come into pointcontact with each other. The raised portion 251 c of the first X-axissupport portion 251 and the raised portion 252 c of the second X-axissupport portion 252 come into contact with the outer circumferentialsurface of the shaft portion 122 of the X-axis movable object holdingportion 120 to be movable in at least the X-axis direction.

In a state in which the X-axis movable object 200 overlaps the basemember 100, the X-axis friction engagement portion 240 is locatedbetween the first convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112provided in the base body portion 110. In addition, the X-axis frictionengagement portion 240 is located between the X-axis drive shaft 132 ofthe X-axis actuator 130 and the base body portion 110.

In addition, the X-axis movable object body portion 210 is provided witha pressing member 241 of which one end portion is fixed on the X-axismovable object body portion 210 and the other end portion comes intocontact with the X-axis drive shaft 132 of the X-axis actuator 130. Thepressing member 241 has elasticity. The other end portion of thepressing member 241 comes into contact with the X-axis drive shaft 132,so that the pressing member 241 lifts the X-axis movable object bodyportion 210 in a direction separated from the base body portion 110.

As a result, the V-shaped surface 240 a of the X-axis frictionengagement portion 240 frictionally engages with an outercircumferential surface of the X-axis drive shaft 132 of the X-axisactuator 130. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of theX-axis drive shaft 132 and the V-shaped surface 240 a come into linecontact with each other in two lines. Specifically, one surfaceconfiguring a V shape in the V-shaped surface 240 a and the outercircumferential surface of the X-axis drive shaft 132 come into linecontact with each other and the other surface configuring the V shape inthe V-shaped surface 240 a and the outer circumferential surface of theX-axis drive shaft 132 come into line contact with each other.

In a state in which the X-axis friction engagement portion 240frictionally engages with the X-axis drive shaft 132 of the X-axisactuator 130, the X-axis piezoelectric element 131 expands and contractsin the X-axis direction, so that the X-axis movable object 200 is movedin the X-axis direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a length of the X-axis direction in theX-axis friction engagement portion 240 is shorter than a length of thepredetermined gap between the first convex portion 111 and the secondconvex portion 112 provided in the base body portion 110. That is, amovement of the X-axis direction in the X-axis friction engagementportion 240 is regulated by the first convex portion 111 and the secondconvex portion 112. As such, the first convex portion 111 and the secondconvex portion 112 provided in the base body portion 110 function as anX-axis stopper mechanism for regulating a movement range of the X-axisdirection in the X-axis movable object 200.

The X-axis movable object 200 is held to be movable in the X-axisdirection, in three places of the X-axis friction engagement portion240, the first X-axis support portion 251, and the second X-axis supportportion 252, with respect to the base member 100. In addition, thepressing members 241 and 253 lift the X-axis movable object body portion210, so that the X-axis movable object body portion 210 floats from thebase body portion 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a Y-axis actuator 230 is provided inthe same side with the side H23 against the opening portion 210 a, onthe surface of the X-axis movable object body portion 210 at the side ofthe Y-axis movable object 300. The Y-axis actuator 230 and the Y-axismovable object holding portion 220 face each other with the optical axisL between the Y-axis actuator 230 and the Y-axis movable object holdingportion 220.

The Y-axis actuator 230 is an actuator that configures a smooth impactdrive mechanism. The Y-axis actuator 230 includes a prismatic Y-axispiezoelectric element 231, a Y-axis drive shaft 232, and a weightportion 233. The Y-axis piezoelectric element 231 is an element that canexpand and contract in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis piezoelectricelement 231 has the same configuration as the configuration of theX-axis piezoelectric element 131 of the X-axis actuator 130. Theexpansion and the contraction of the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231can be controlled by controlling a voltage applied to the Y-axispiezoelectric element 231.

The Y-axis drive shaft 232 is formed in a columnar shape and is disposedsuch that an axis line of a columnar shape extends along the Y-axisdirection. The Y-axis drive shaft 232 is configured using a compositeresin material including a fiber such as a carbon fiber, similar to theX-axis drive shaft 132.

One end portion of the Y-axis direction in the Y-axis drive shaft 232 isfixed on one end portion of the Y-axis direction in the Y-axispiezoelectric element 231. The surface of the Y-axis drive shaft 232 atthe side of the X-axis movable object body portion 210 is supported bythe first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion 212 providedin the X-axis movable object body portion 210. The Y-axis drive shaft232 is not fixed on the first convex portion 211 and the second convexportion 212 and is slidable along the Y-axis direction with respect tothe first convex portion 211 and the second convex portion 212.

The weight portion 233 is fixed on the other end portion of the Y-axisdirection in the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231. The weight portion233 is designed to be heavier than the Y-axis drive shaft 232, similarto the weight portion 133.

A rising portion 260 is provided on the surface of the X-axis movableobject body portion 210 at the side of the Y-axis movable object 300.The rising portion 260 rises from the corner portion of the X-axismovable object body portion 210 in which the sides H21 and H23 areconnected and projects from a position of an upper end portion of therising portion to the outside (side separated from the opening portion210 a). In addition, a portion projecting to the outside in the risingportion 260 is called a projection portion 260 a. The surface of theweight portion 233 at the side opposite to the side on which the Y-axispiezoelectric element 231 is fixed is fixed on a surface of the risingportion 260 at the side of the first convex portion 211. As a result,the Y-axis actuator 230 is fixed on the rising portion 260 while theY-axis drive shaft 232 is supported by the first convex portion 211 andthe second convex portion 212.

An adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive can be used for fixation of theY-axis piezoelectric element 231 and the Y-axis drive shaft 232,fixation of the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231 and the weight portion233, and fixation of the weight portion 233 and the rising portion 260.

Next, a configuration of the Y-axis movable object 300 and a supportconfiguration of the Y-axis movable object 300 by the X-axis movableobject 200 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 11, theY-axis movable object 300 includes a Y-axis movable object body portion310, a first sidewall portion 311 a, a second sidewall portion 311 b, athird sidewall portion 311 c, a fourth sidewall portion 311 d, a Y-axisfriction engagement portion 340, and a Y-axis support portion 350.

The Y-axis movable object body portion 310 is an approximatelyrectangular member having four corner portions, when viewed from thedirection of the optical axis L. For the convenience of description,four sides configuring an outer circumferential edge of the Y-axismovable object body portion 310 when viewed from the direction of theoptical axis L are called sides H31, H32, H33, and H34. A circularopening portion 310 a with the optical axis L as a center is provided inthe Y-axis movable object body portion 310. The opening portion 310 aprovided in the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 and the openingportion 210 a provided in the X-axis movable object body portion 210have almost the same sizes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 15, the side H31 is a side located at theside of the side H21 of the X-axis movable object 200 with respect tothe opening portion 310 a, when viewed from the direction of the opticalaxis L in a state in which the Y-axis movable object 300 overlaps theX-axis movable object 200. Likewise, the side H32 is a side located atthe side of the side H22 of the X-axis movable object 200 with respectto the opening portion 310 a. The side H33 is a side located at the sideof the side H23 of the X-axis movable object 200 with respect to theopening portion 310 a. The side H34 is a side located at the side of theside H24 of the X-axis movable object 200 with respect to the openingportion 310 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first sidewall portion 311 a rises fromthe Y-axis movable object body portion 310 to the side of the lenscarrier 400, in the corner portion of the Y-axis movable object bodyportion 310 in which the sides H31 and H34 are connected. In the firstsidewall portion 311 a, a notch portion 312 extending along thedirection of the optical axis L is provided at a position correspondingto a locking convex portion 420 of the lens carrier 400. The secondsidewall portion 311 b rises from the Y-axis movable object body portion310 to the side of the lens carrier 400, in the corner portion of theY-axis movable object body portion 310 in which the sides H34 and H32are connected. In addition, the first sidewall portion 311 a and thesecond sidewall portion 311 b extend along the side H34 of the Y-axismovable object body portion 310 and are connected to each other.

The third sidewall portion 311 c rises from the Y-axis movable objectbody portion 310 to the side of the lens carrier 400, in the cornerportion of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 in which the sidesH32 and H33 are connected. The fourth sidewall portion 311 d rises fromthe Y-axis movable object body portion 310 to the side of the lenscarrier 400, in the corner portion of the Y-axis movable object bodyportion 310 in which the sides H33 and H31 are connected.

An actuator holding portion 310 b that is recessed in a circular shapeis provided on the surface of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310at the side of the lens carrier 400. The actuator holding portion 310 bis located in a region between the third sidewall portion 311 c and theopening portion 310 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 isprovided in an end portion of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310at the side of the side H33. The Y-axis friction engagement portion 340protrudes in a direction separated from the opening portion 310 a alongthe X-axis direction, from the Y-axis movable object body portion 310. Agroove that extends along the Y-axis direction and has an approximatelyV shape is provided on a surface of the Y-axis friction engagementportion 340 at the side of the lens carrier 400. Hereinafter, thesurface of the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 provided with thegroove of the V shape is called a V-shaped surface 340 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the Y-axis support portion 350 is provided inan end portion of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 at the sideof the side H34. The Y-axis support portion 350 includes a first Y-axissupport portion 351 and a second Y-axis support portion 352. The firstY-axis support portion 351 is located in the same side with the side H31against the second Y-axis support portion 352.

The first Y-axis support portion 351 includes a pair of plate portions351 a and 351 b and a raised portion 351 c (refer to FIGS. 11 and 14).The pair of plate portions 351 a and 351 b extends from the end portionof the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 at the side of the sideH34 to the side separated from the opening portion 310 a along theX-axis direction. A predetermined gap capable of inserting the endportion of the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movable object holdingportion 220 is provided in the direction of the optical axis L betweenthe plate portions 351 a and 351 b. The plate portion 351 a is locatedin the same side with the X-axis movable object 200 against the plateportion 351 b. The raised portion 351 c is provided on a surface of theplate portion 351 a at the side of the plate portion 351 b. In theraised portion 351 c, a top portion extends along the X-axis direction.The raised portion 351 c protrudes from the plate portion 351 a, suchthat a cross section in the Y-axis direction has an approximatelycircular arc shape.

The second Y-axis support portion 352 includes a pair of plate portions352 a and 352 b and a raised portion 352 c (refer to FIGS. 11 and 14).The pair of plate portions 352 a and 352 b extends from the end portionof the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 at the side of the sideH34 to the side separated from the opening portion 310 a along theX-axis direction. A predetermined gap capable of inserting the endportion of the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movable object holdingportion 220 is provided in the direction of the optical axis L betweenthe plate portions 352 a and 352 b. The plate portion 352 a is locatedin the same side with the X-axis movable object 200 against the plateportion 352 b. The raised portion 352 c is provided on a surface of theplate portion 352 a at the side of the plate portion 352 b. In theraised portion 352 c, a top portion extends along the X-axis direction.The raised portion 352 c protrudes from the plate portion 352 a, suchthat a cross section in the Y-axis direction has an approximatelycircular arc shape.

The Y-axis movable object 300 further includes a first wiring lineconnection portion 321, a second wiring line connection portion 322, anda third wiring line connection portion 323. The first wiring lineconnection portion 321 projects from a position near a tip portion of arising direction of the first sidewall portion 311 a to the outside(side separated from the opening portion 310 a). The second wiring lineconnection portion 322 projects from a position near a tip portion of arising direction of the second sidewall portion 311 b to the outside(side separated from the opening portion 310 a). The third wiring lineconnection portion 323 projects from a position near a tip portion of arising direction of the third sidewall portion 311 c to the outside(side separated from the opening portion 310 a).

Next, a state in which the Y-axis movable object 300 overlaps the X-axismovable object 200 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14,in a state in which the Y-axis movable object 300 overlaps the X-axismovable object 200, both end portions of the shaft portion 222 of theY-axis movable object holding portion 220 are fitted between the plateportions 351 a and 351 b of the Y-axis support portion 350 and betweenthe plate portions 352 a and 352 b of the Y-axis support portion 350,respectively.

In addition, the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 is provided witha pressing member 353 of which one end portion is fixed on the Y-axismovable object body portion 310 and the other end portion comes intocontact with the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movable object holdingportion 220. The pressing member 353 has elasticity. The other endportion of the pressing member 353 comes into contact with the shaftportion 222, so that the pressing member 353 lifts the Y-axis movableobject body portion 310 in a direction separated from the X-axis movableobject body portion 210.

As a result, an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 222of the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220 and the raised portion351 c of the first Y-axis support portion 351 and the raised portion 352c of the second Y-axis support portion 352 come into contact with eachother. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the shaftportion 222 and the raised portions 351 c and 352 c come into pointcontact with each other. The raised portion 351 c of the first Y-axissupport portion 351 and the raised portion 352 c of the second Y-axissupport portion 352 come into contact with the outer circumferentialsurface of the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movable object holdingportion 220 to be movable in at least the Y-axis direction.

In a state in which the Y-axis movable object 300 overlaps the X-axismovable object 200, the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 islocated between the first convex portion 211 and the second convexportion 212 provided in the X-axis movable object body portion 210. Inaddition, the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 is located betweenthe Y-axis drive shaft 232 of the Y-axis actuator 230 and the X-axismovable object body portion 210.

In addition, the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 is provided witha pressing member 341 of which one end portion is fixed on the thirdsidewall portion 311 c rising from the Y-axis movable object bodyportion 310 and the other end portion comes into contact with the

Y-axis drive shaft 232 of the Y-axis actuator 230. The pressing member341 has elasticity. The other end portion of the pressing member 341comes into contact with the Y-axis drive shaft 232, so that the pressingmember 341 lifts the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 in adirection separated from the X-axis movable object body portion 210.

As a result, the V-shaped surface 340 a of the Y-axis frictionengagement portion 340 frictionally engages with an outercircumferential surface of the Y-axis drive shaft 232 of the Y-axisactuator 230. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the

Y-axis drive shaft 232 and the V-shaped surface 340 a come into linecontact with each other in two lines. Specifically, one surfaceconfiguring a V shape in the V-shaped surface 340 a and the outercircumferential surface of the Y-axis drive shaft 232 come into linecontact with each other and the other surface configuring the V shape inthe V-shaped surface 340 a and the outer circumferential surface of theY-axis drive shaft 232 come into line contact with each other.

In a state in which the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340frictionally engages with the Y-axis drive shaft 232 of the Y-axisactuator 230, the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231 expands and contractsin the Y-axis direction, so that the Y-axis movable object 300 is movedin the Y-axis direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a length of the Y-axis direction in theY-axis friction engagement portion 340 is shorter than a length of thepredetermined gap between the first convex portion 211 and the secondconvex portion 212 provided in the X-axis movable object body portion210. That is, a movement of the Y-axis direction in the Y-axis frictionengagement portion 340 is regulated by the first convex portion 211 andthe second convex portion 212. As such, the first convex portion 211 andthe second convex portion 212 provided in the X-axis movable object bodyportion 210 function as a Y-axis stopper mechanism for regulating amovement range of the Y-axis direction in the Y-axis movable object 300.

The Y-axis movable object 300 is held to be movable in the Y-axisdirection, in three places of the Y-axis friction engagement portion340, the first Y-axis support portion 351, and the second Y-axis supportportion 352, with respect to the X-axis movable object 200. The pressingmembers 341 and 353 lift the Y-axis movable object body portion 310, sothat the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 floats from the X-axismovable object body portion 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a carrier actuator 330 is provided on asurface of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 at the side of thelens carrier 400. The carrier actuator 330 is held by the actuatorholding portion 310 b provided in the Y-axis movable object body portion310. The carrier actuator 330 and the notch portion 312 of the Y-axismovable object 300 face each other with the optical axis L between thecarrier actuator 330 and the notch portion 312.

The carrier actuator 330 is an actuator that configures a smooth impactdrive mechanism. The carrier actuator 330 includes a prismatic Z-axispiezoelectric element 331, a Z-axis drive shaft 332, and a weightportion 333. The Z-axis piezoelectric element 331 is an element that canexpand and contract in the direction of the optical axis L. The Z-axispiezoelectric element 331 has the same configuration as theconfiguration of the X-axis piezoelectric element 131 of the X-axisactuator 130. The expansion and the contraction of the Z-axispiezoelectric element 331 can be controlled by controlling a voltageapplied to the Z-axis piezoelectric element 331.

The Z-axis drive shaft 332 is formed in a columnar shape and is disposedsuch that an axis line of a columnar shape extends along the directionof the optical axis L. The Z-axis drive shaft 332 is configured using acomposite resin material including a fiber such as a carbon fiber,similar to the X-axis drive shaft 132. One end portion of the directionof the optical axis L in the Z-axis drive shaft 332 is fixed on one endportion of the direction of the optical axis L in the Z-axispiezoelectric element 331.

The weight portion 333 is fixed on the other end portion of thedirection of the optical axis L in the Z-axis piezoelectric element 331.The weight portion 333 is designed to be heavier than the Z-axis driveshaft 332, similar to the weight portion 133. The weight portion 333 isfitted into the actuator holding portion 310 b provided in the Y-axismovable object body portion 310 to be fixed, so that the carrieractuator 330 is held in the Y-axis movable object 300.

An adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive can be used for fixation of theZ-axis piezoelectric element 331 and the Z-axis drive shaft 332,fixation of the Z-axis piezoelectric element 331 and the weight portion333, and fixation of the weight portion 333 and the actuator holdingportion 310 b.

Next, a configuration of the lens carrier 400 and a supportconfiguration of the lens carrier 400 by the Y-axis movable object 300will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the lens carrier400 includes a carrier body portion 410, a locking convex portion 420,an engagement portion 430, and a carrier convex portion 440.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, the lens carrier 400 is disposed to besurrounded by the first sidewall portion 311 a, the second sidewallportion 311 b, the third sidewall portion 311 c, and the fourth sidewallportion 311 d, on the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 of theY-axis movable object 300. The carrier body portion 410 is provided witha circular opening portion 410 a with the optical axis L as a center.The opening portion 410 a provided in the carrier body portion 410 andthe opening portion 310 a provided in the Y-axis movable object bodyportion 310 have almost the same sizes. The lens 4 is attached to theopening portion 410 a of the carrier body portion 410. That is, a wallsurface of the opening portion 410 a becomes a lens attachment portion410 b to attach the lens 4. As such, the lens attachment portion 410 bis provided in the carrier body portion 410, so that the lens carrier400 can hold the lens 4. The lens 4 may be a lens unit configured usinga plurality of lenses and may be a single lens.

The locking convex portion 420 protrudes from the outer circumferentialsurface of the carrier body portion 410 along a direction orthogonal tothe optical axis L. In addition, the locking convex portion 420 extendsalong the optical axis L on the outer circumferential surface of thecarrier body portion 410. The locking convex portion 420 is fitted intothe notch portion 312 of the Y-axis movable object 300. A shape and adimension of the locking convex portion 420 are almost the same as theshape and the dimension of the notch portion 312. However, the notchportion 312 is slightly larger than the locking convex portion 420 andthe locking convex portion 420 can be fitted into the notch portion 312.Rotation of the lens carrier 400 around the optical axis L is suppressedby fitting of the locking convex portion 420 of the lens carrier 400 andthe notch portion 312 of the Y-axis movable object 300.

The engagement portion 430 is a member that engages with the Z-axisdrive shaft 332 of the carrier actuator 330. The engagement portion 430is a metallic member having elasticity and is attached to the outercircumferential surface of the carrier body portion 410. The engagementportion 430 and the locking convex portion 420 substantially face eachother with the optical axis L between the engagement portion 430 and thelocking convex portion 420.

The engagement portion 430 includes a Z-axis friction engagement portion431 frictionally engaging with the Z-axis drive shaft 332 and a pressingmember 432. The Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 is formed in anapproximately V shape. In the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431, aninner surface (a first inner surface 431 a and a second inner surface431 b) with the approximately V shape comes into contact with the outercircumferential surface of the Z-axis drive shaft 332. Morespecifically, the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 (the firstinner surface 431 a and the second inner surface 431 b) comes intocontact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of theZ-axis drive shaft 332 at the side of the optical axis L. The pressingmember 432 and the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 interpose theZ-axis drive shaft 332 between the pressing member 432 and the Z-axisfriction engagement portion 431. The pressing member 432 has elasticity.The Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 is biased to the side of theZ-axis drive shaft 332 by the elasticity of the pressing member 432, sothat the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 frictionally engageswith the Z-axis drive shaft 332.

In a state in which the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 of theengagement portion 430 frictionally engages with the Z-axis drive shaft332 of the carrier actuator 330, the Z-axis piezoelectric element 331expands and contracts in the direction of the optical axis L, so thatthe lens carrier 400 is moved in the direction of the optical axis L.

The carrier convex portion 440 is provided on the outer circumferentialsurface of the carrier body portion 410 and protrudes from the outercircumferential surface of the carrier body portion 410 along adirection orthogonal to the optical axis L. The carrier convex portion440 is provided in the vicinity of the engagement portion 430, on theouter circumferential surface of the carrier body portion 410.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the auxiliary member 500 has a shape of anapproximately rectangular frame surrounding the lens carrier 400, whenviewed from the direction of the optical axis L. The auxiliary member500 is attached to the Y-axis movable object 300.

For the convenience of description, four sides configuring an outercircumferential edge of the auxiliary member 500 when viewed from thedirection of the optical axis L are called sides H51, H52, H53, and H54.As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 15, the side H51 is a side located at theside of the side H31 of the Y-axis movable object 300 with respect tothe optical axis L, when viewed from the direction of the optical axis Lin a state in which the auxiliary member 500 overlaps the Y-axis movableobject 300. Likewise, the side H52 is a side located at the side of theside H32 of the Y-axis movable object 300 with respect to the opticalaxis L. The side H53 is a side located at the side of the side H33 ofthe Y-axis movable object 300 with respect to the optical axis L. Theside H54 is a side located at the side of the side H34 of the Y-axismovable object 300 with respect to the optical axis L.

In addition, a corner portion formed by connecting the sides H51 and H54is called a corner portion K1. Likewise, a corner portion formed byconnecting the sides H54 and H52 is called a corner portion K2. A cornerportion formed by connecting the sides H52 and H53 is called a cornerportion K3. A corner portion formed by connecting the sides H53 and H51is called a corner portion K4.

The corner portion K1 of the auxiliary member 500 is supported (fixed)by the first sidewall portion 311 a of the Y-axis movable object 300.The corner portion K2 is supported (fixed) by the second sidewallportion 311 b of the Y-axis movable object 300. The corner portion K3 issupported (fixed) by the third sidewall portion 311 c of the Y-axismovable object 300. The corner portion K4 is supported (fixed) by thefourth sidewall portion 311 d of the Y-axis movable object 300.

The auxiliary member 500 supports the Z-axis drive shaft 332 of thecarrier actuator 330 to be movable in the direction of the optical axisL. The auxiliary member 500 comes into contact with point contact withthe outer circumferential surface of the Z-axis drive shaft 332 at twopoints or more and supports the carrier actuator 330. More specifically,the carrier actuator 330 is located in the corner portion K3 in theframe of the auxiliary member 500, when viewed from the direction of theoptical axis L. An inner surface of the corner portion K3 comes intocontact with the outer circumferential surface of the Z-axis drive shaft332, so that the auxiliary member 500 supports the carrier actuator 330.The Z-axis drive shaft 332 is interposed by the inner surface of thecorner portion K3 and the Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 of theengagement portion 430, when viewed from the direction of the opticalaxis L.

In this embodiment, a support convex portion 510 is provided in an innerportion of the side H53. The Z-axis drive shaft 332 is located betweenthe support convex portion 510 and the side H52, when viewed from thedirection of the optical axis L. At the side H53, the Z-axis drive shaft332 is supported in two places of a portion closer to the side H52 thanthe support convex portion 510 and a portion of the support convexportion 510 facing the side H52. In addition, at the side H52, theZ-axis drive shaft 332 is supported in one place of a portion near anend portion of the side to which the side H53 is connected. As a result,the Z-axis drive shaft 332 is supported in a total of three places inthe corner portion K3.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a stepped portion 520 is provided inside theside H52 of the auxiliary member 500. The stepped portion 520 is formedby projecting an end portion of the side H52 opposite to the side of theY-axis movable object body portion 310 to the side of the optical axisL. A surface of the stepped portion 520 facing the side of the Y-axismovable object 300 is defined as an auxiliary member side contactportion 521. The auxiliary member side contact portion 521 overlaps apart of the carrier convex portion 440, when viewed from the directionof the optical axis L. A surface of the carrier convex portion 440facing the auxiliary member side contact portion 521 is defined as acarrier side contact portion 441. That is, the carrier side contactportion 441 is a surface opposite to the surface of the carrier convexportion 440 at the side of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310.

As such, the auxiliary member side contact portion 521 of the auxiliarymember 500 and the carrier side contact portion 441 of the lens carrier400 face each other in the direction of the optical axis L.

As a result, when the lens carrier 400 moves to a position separated bya predetermined distance in the direction of the optical axis L withrespect to the Y-axis movable object 300, the auxiliary member sidecontact portion 521 and the carrier side contact portion 441 come incontact with each other and a movement of the direction of the opticalaxis L in the lens carrier 400 is restricted. As such, the auxiliarymember side contact portion 521 and the carrier side contact portion 441function as a carrier stopper mechanism for restricting the movement ofthe direction of the optical axis L in the lens carrier 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the auxiliary member side contact portion 521(stepped portion 520) and the carrier side contact portion 441 (carrierconvex portion 440) configuring the carrier stopper mechanism areprovided in the corner portion K3 in which the carrier actuator 330 isdisposed, among the corner portions of the auxiliary member 500.

Here, the provision of the auxiliary member side contact portion 521 orthe like in the corner portion K3 means that the auxiliary member sidecontact portion 521 or the like is provided closer to the corner portionK3 than the other corner portions. The provision of the auxiliary memberside contact portion 521 or the like in the corner portion K3 means aregion around a connection portion of the sides H52 and H53, not aconnection point of the sides H52 and H53.

For example, a center position in an extension direction of the side H51is defined as a center point H51 a and a center position in an extensiondirection of the side H52 is defined as a center point H52 a. A centerposition in an extension direction of the side H53 is defined as acenter point H53 a and a center position in an extension direction ofthe side H54 is defined as a center point H54 a. A straight line passingthe center points H5 la and H52 a when viewed from the direction of theoptical axis L is defined as a virtual line VL1. Likewise, a straightline passing the center points H53 a and H54 a is defined as a virtualline VL2. The provision of the auxiliary member side contact portion 521or the like in the corner portion K3 includes provision of the auxiliarymember side contact portion 521 or the like in a region separated by thevirtual line VL1 towards the side H53 and by the virtual line VL2towards the side H52, around the auxiliary member 500, when viewed fromthe direction of the optical axis L.

Next, electric wiring lines connected to each actuator, sensorsdetecting a position of the X-axis movable object 200 or the like, andelectric wiring lines connected to each sensor will be described. First,electric wiring lines and sensors provided in the base member 100 willbe described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a hall sensor HS1, a hall sensorHS2, and electric wiring lines W101 to W118 are provided on the surfaceof the base body portion 110 at the side which the X-axis movable object200 overlaps.

The hall sensor HS1 functions as a position sensor that detects aposition of the X-axis movable object 200 moving in the X-axis directionwith respect to the base member 100. The hall sensor HS1 is provided inthe same side with the side H13 against the opening portion 110 a in thebase body portion 110. One end side of the electric wiring lines W101 toW104 is connected to the hall sensor HS1. The other end sides of theelectric wiring lines W101 to W104 extend to the side H13 of the basebody portion 110.

One end side of the electric wiring lines W105 and W106 is connected tothe X-axis piezoelectric element 131 of the X-axis actuator 130 and theother end sides thereof extend to the side H13 of the base body portion110. The electric wiring lines W105 and W106 supply power to the X-axispiezoelectric element 131.

Concave connection points P31 and P32 are provided in the corner portionof the base body portion 110 in which the sides H13 and H12 areconnected. One end side of the electric wiring lines W107 and W108extends to the connection points P31 and P32 and the other end sidesthereof extend to the side H13 of the base body portion 110. Concaveconnection points P41 and P42 are provided in the corner portion of thebase body portion 110 in which the sides H13 and H11 are connected. Oneend side of the electric wiring lines W109 and W110 extends to theconnection points P41 and P42 and the other end sides thereof extend tothe side H13 of the base body portion 110.

The hall sensor HS2 functions as a position sensor that detects aposition of the Y-axis movable object 300 moving in the Y-axis directionwith respect to the base member 100. The hall sensor HS2 is provided ata position near the corner portion of the base body portion 110 in whichthe sides H11 and H14 are connected. The hall sensor HS2 is provided onthe raised portion 110 c to be raised to the side of the Y-axis movableobject 300 in the base body portion 110. One end side of the electricwiring lines W111 to W114 is connected to the hall sensor HS2. The otherend sides of the electric wiring lines W111 to W114 extend to the sideH14 of the base body portion 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the X-axis movable object body portion 210 ofthe X-axis movable object 200 has a shape to be kept away from the hallsensor HS2 and the raised portion 110 c when viewed from the directionof the optical axis L, not to interfere with the hall sensor HS2 and theraised portion 110 c.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, concave connection points P11 and P12 areprovided in the corner portion of the base body portion 110 in which thesides H11 and H14 are connected. One end side of the electric wiringlines W115 and W116 extends to the connection points P11 and P12 and theother end sides thereof extend to the side H14 of the base body portion110. Concave connection points P21 and P22 are provided in the cornerportion of the base body portion 110 in which the sides H12 and H14 areconnected. One end side of the electric wiring lines W117 and W118extends to the connection points P21 and P22 and the other end sidesthereof extend to the side H14 of the base body portion 110.

An edge portion of an opening of the connection point P11 is formed inan approximately tapered shape in which a diameter decreases toward theside of a concave bottom portion. Similar to the edge portion of theopening of the connection point P11, edge portions of openings of theconnection points P12, P21, P22, P31, P32, P41, and P42 are formed in anapproximately tapered shape.

Next, electric wiring lines or the like provided in the X-axis movableobject 200 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a magnet MG1 andelectric wiring lines W201 and W202 are provided in the X-axis movableobject 200. The magnet MG1 is provided in a concave portion provided ata position between the first convex portion 211 and the second convexportion 212, on the surface of the X-axis movable object body portion210 at the side which the Y-axis movable object 300 overlaps. Inaddition, positions of the hall sensor HS1 provided in the base member100 and the magnet MG1 overlap each other in the direction of theoptical axis L. The hall sensor HS1 detects the position of the X-axismovable object 200 with respect to the base member 100, on the basis ofa change of a magnetic field of the magnet MG1 moving with the X-axismovable object body portion 210. The X-axis actuator 130 isfeedback-controlled on the basis of a detection result of the hallsensor HS1.

Connection points Q41 and Q42 are provided on a surface of theprojection portion 260 a of the rising portion 260 at the side of theY-axis movable object 300. The connection points Q41 and Q42 have ashape of a hole that penetrates the projection portion 260 a in thedirection of the optical axis L. Edge portions of openings of theconnection points Q41 and Q42 at the side of the Y-axis movable object300 are formed in an approximately tapered shape in which a diameterdecreases toward the openings of the side of the base member 100.

In a state in which the X-axis movable object 200 is located at anX-axis reference position with respect to the base member 100, positionsof the connection points Q41 and Q42 are matched with positions of theconnection points P41 and P42 provided in the base body portion 110,respectively, when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L. Inaddition, the X-axis reference position is a position (initial position)before the X-axis movable object 200 is moved in the X-axis directionwith respect to the base member 100. For example, the X-axis referenceposition is a position of the X-axis movable object 200 when the X-axisfriction engagement portion 240 of the X-axis movable object 200 is atan intermediate position of the first convex portion 111 and the secondconvex portion 112 of the base member 100.

One end side of the electric wiring lines W201 and W202 is connected tothe Y-axis piezoelectric element 231 of the Y-axis actuator 230 and theother end sides thereof extend to the connection points Q41 and Q42provided in the projection portion 260 a. The electric wiring lines W201and W202 supply power to the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231.

The electric wiring line W201 provided in the rising portion 260 of theX-axis movable object 200 and the electric wiring line W109 provided inthe base member 100 are connected by a conductive suspension wire(second suspension wire) SW41. The electric wiring line W202 provided inthe rising portion 260 and the electric wiring line W110 provided in thebase member 100 are connected by a conductive suspension wire (secondsuspension wire) SW42.

Specifically, one end of the suspension wire SW41 is inserted into theconnection point P41 and the other end thereof passes through theconnection point Q41. The suspension wire SW41 and the electric wiringline W109 are connected to each other by solder or conductive paste atthe connection point P41. In addition, the edge portion of the openingof the connection point P41 is formed in a tapered shape, so that it iseasy to cause the solder or the conductive paste to flow into theconnection point P41, and the suspension wire SW41 and the electricwiring line W109 can be easily connected. In addition, the suspensionwire SW41 can be easily mounted. Because an edge portion of an openingof a connection point is formed in a tapered shape even in connection ofother connection point such as the connection point P42 and othersuspension wire such as the suspension wire SW42, the same effect as thecase of the connection point P41 is achieved. The suspension wire SW41and the electric wiring line W201 are connected to each other by thesolder or the conductive paste at the connection point Q41.

One end of the suspension wire SW42 is inserted into the connectionpoint P42 and the other end thereof passes through the connection pointQ42. The suspension wire SW42 and the electric wiring line W110 areconnected to each other by the solder or the conductive paste at theconnection point P42. The suspension wire SW42 and the electric wiringline W202 are connected to each other by the solder or the conductivepaste at the connection point Q42.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the projection portion 260 a is locatedin the same side with the lens carrier 400 against the surface of theY-axis movable object body portion 310 at the side of the X-axis movableobject 200, in the direction of the optical axis L. That is, connectionpositions of the electric wiring lines W201 and W202 provided in theprojection portion 260 a and the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 arelocated in the same side with the lens carrier 400 against the surfaceof the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 at the side of the X-axismovable object 200, in the direction of the optical axis L. The risingportion 260 is provided in the X-axis movable object 200 and one end ofthe suspension wires SW41 and SW42 is connected, so that the connectionpositions of the electric wiring lines W201 and W202 of the side of theX-axis movable object 200 and the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 can beseparated from the base member 100 (set to a far position).

Next, electric wiring lines or the like provided in the Y-axis movableobject 300 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12, a hallsensor HS3, a magnet MG2, and electric wiring lines W301 to W306 areprovided in the Y-axis movable object 300. The magnet MG2 is provided inthe corner portion of the Y-axis movable object body portion 310 inwhich the first sidewall portion 311 a rises. In addition, positions ofthe hall sensor HS2 provided in the base member 100 and the magnet MG2overlap each other in the direction of the optical axis L. The hallsensor HS2 detects a position of the Y-axis movable object 300 withrespect to the base member 100, on the basis of a change of a magneticfield of the magnet MG2 moving with the Y-axis movable object bodyportion 310. The Y-axis actuator 230 is feedback-controlled on the basisof a detection result of the hall sensor HS2.

Connection points Q11 and Q12 are provided on a surface of the firstwiring line connection portion 321 at the side of the auxiliary member500. The connection points Q11 and Q12 have a shape of a hole thatpenetrates the first wiring line connection portion 321 in the directionof the optical axis L. Edge portions of openings of the connectionpoints Q11 and Q12 at the side of the auxiliary member 500 are formed inan approximately tapered shape in which a diameter decreases toward theopenings of the side of the base member 100.

Connection points Q21 and Q22 are provided on a surface of the secondwiring line connection portion 322 at the side of the auxiliary member500. The connection points Q21 and Q22 have a shape of a hole thatpenetrates the second wiring line connection portion 322 in thedirection of the optical axis L. Edge portions of openings of theconnection points Q21 and Q22 at the side of the auxiliary member 500are formed in an approximately tapered shape in which a diameterdecreases toward the openings of the side of the base member 100.

Connection points Q31 and Q32 are provided on a surface of the thirdwiring line connection portion 323 at the side of the auxiliary member500. The connection points Q31 and Q32 have a shape of a hole thatpenetrates the third wiring line connection portion 323 in the directionof the optical axis L. Edge portions of openings of the connectionpoints Q31 and Q32 at the side of the auxiliary member 500 are formed inan approximately tapered shape in which a diameter decreases toward theopenings of the side of the base member 100.

In a state in which the Y-axis movable object 300 is located at a Y-axisreference position with respect to the base member 100 and the X-axismovable object 200 is located at the X-axis reference position withrespect to the base member 100, positions of the connection points Q11and Q12 are matched with positions of the connection points P11 and P12provided in the base body portion 110, respectively, when viewed fromthe direction of the optical axis L. Likewise, positions of theconnection points Q21 and Q22 are matched with positions of theconnection points P21 and P22 provided in the base body portion 110,respectively. Positions of the connection points Q31 and Q32 are matchedwith positions of the connection points P31 and P32 provided in the basebody portion 110, respectively.

In addition, the Y-axis reference position is a position (initialposition) before the X-axis movable object 200 is located at the X-axisreference position and the Y-axis movable object 300 is moved in theY-axis direction with respect to the base member 100. For example, theY-axis reference position is a position of the Y-axis movable object 300when the X-axis movable object 200 is located at the X-axis referenceposition and the Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 of the Y-axismovable object 300 is at an intermediate position of the first convexportion 211 and the second convex portion 212 of the X-axis movableobject 200.

The hall sensor HS3 functions as a position sensor that detects aposition of the lens carrier 400 moving in the direction of the opticalaxis L with respect to the Y-axis movable object 300. The hall sensorHS3 is provided on the surface of the second sidewall portion 311 b atthe side of the opening portion 310 a. One end side of the electricwiring lines W301 to W304 is connected to the hall sensor HS3. The otherend sides of the electric wiring lines (second electric wiring lines)W301 and W302 extend to the connection points Q11 and Q12 provided inthe first wiring line connection portion 321. The other end sides of theelectric wiring lines (first electric wiring lines) W303 and W304 extendto the connection points Q21 and Q22 provided in the second wiring lineconnection portion 322 (refer to FIG. 2).

One end side of the electric wiring lines W305 and W306 is connected tothe Z-axis piezoelectric element 331 of the carrier actuator 330 and theother end sides thereof extend to the connection points Q31 and Q32provided in the third wiring line connection portion 323. The electricwiring lines W305 and W306 supply power to the Z-axis piezoelectricelement 331.

The electric wiring line W301 provided in the first wiring lineconnection portion 321 of the Y-axis movable object 300 and the electricwiring line W115 provided in the base member 100 are connected by aconductive suspension wire (fourth suspension wire) SW11. The electricwiring line W302 provided in the first wiring line connection portion321 and the electric wiring line W116 provided in the base member 100are connected by a conductive suspension wire (fourth suspension wire)SW12.

Specifically, one end of the suspension wire SW11 is inserted into theconnection point P11 and the other end thereof passes through theconnection point Q11. The suspension wire SW11 and the electric wiringline W115 are connected to each other by the solder or the conductivepaste at the connection point P11. The suspension wire SW11 and theelectric wiring line W301 are connected to each other by the solder orthe conductive paste at the connection point Q11. In addition, one endof the suspension wire SW12 is inserted into the connection point P12and the other end thereof passes through the connection point Q12. Thesuspension wire SW12 and the electric wiring line W116 are connected toeach other by the solder or the conductive paste at the connection pointP12. The suspension wire SW12 and the electric wiring line W302 areconnected to each other by the solder or the conductive paste at theconnection point Q12.

The electric wiring line W303 provided in the second wiring lineconnection portion 322 of the Y-axis movable object 300 and the electricwiring line W117 provided in the base member 100 are connected by aconductive suspension wire (third suspension wire) SW21 (refer to FIG.2). The electric wiring line W304 provided in the second wiring lineconnection portion 322 and the electric wiring line W118 provided in thebase member 100 are connected by a conductive suspension wire (thirdsuspension wire) SW22.

Specifically, one end of the suspension wire SW21 is inserted into theconnection point P21 and the other end thereof passes through theconnection point Q21. The suspension wire SW21 and the electric wiringline W117 are connected to each other by the solder or the conductivepaste at the connection point P21. The suspension wire SW21 and theelectric wiring line W303 are connected to each other by the solder orthe conductive paste at the connection point Q21. In addition, one endof the suspension wire SW22 is inserted into the connection point P22and the other end thereof passes through the connection point Q22. Thesuspension wire SW22 and the electric wiring line W118 are connected toeach other by the solder or the conductive paste at the connection pointP22. The suspension wire SW22 and the electric wiring line W304 areconnected to each other by the solder or the conductive paste at theconnection point Q22.

The electric wiring line W305 provided in the third wiring lineconnection portion 323 of the Y-axis movable object 300 and the electricwiring line W107 provided in the base member 100 are connected by aconductive suspension wire (first suspension wire) SW31 (refer to FIG.2). The electric wiring line W306 provided in the third wiring lineconnection portion 323 and the electric wiring line W108 provided in thebase member 100 are connected by a conductive suspension wire (firstsuspension wire) SW32.

Specifically, one end of the suspension wire SW31 is inserted into theconnection point P31 and the other end thereof passes through theconnection point Q31. The suspension wire SW31 and the electric wiringline W107 are connected to each other by the solder or the conductivepaste at the connection point P31. The suspension wire SW31 and theelectric wiring line W305 are connected to each other by the solder orthe conductive paste at the connection point Q31. In addition, one endof the suspension wire SW32 is inserted into the connection point P32and the other end thereof passes through the connection point Q32. Thesuspension wire SW32 and the electric wiring line W108 are connected toeach other by the solder or the conductive paste at the connection pointP32. The suspension wire SW32 and the electric wiring line W306 areconnected to each other by the solder or the conductive paste at theconnection point Q32.

In connection positions of the electric wiring lines W301 to W306provided in the Y-axis movable object 300 and the suspension wires SW11,SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, and SW32, height positions along the directionof the optical axis L from the base member 100 are almost the same. Inaddition, in a connection position of the electric wiring line W301provided in the Y-axis movable object 300 and the suspension wire SW11and a connection position of the electric wiring line W201 provided inthe X-axis movable object 200 and the suspension wire SW41, heightpositions along the direction of the optical axis L from the base member100 are almost the same. Here, “the heights are almost the same”includes the case in which the heights are completely matched and thecase in which there is a slight difference in a range for the purpose ofaligning the heights. As a result, lengths of the suspension wires SW11,SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, SW32, SW41, and SW42 are almost the same.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the suspension wires SW11 and SW12,the suspension wires SW21 and SW22, the suspension wires SW31 and SW32,and the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 is configured as a set. Theindividual sets of suspension wires are located in the four cornerportions of the base member 100, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 areconnected to the electric wiring lines W201 and W202 provided in theprojection portion 260 a projecting to the outside in the rising portion260. As such, the projection portion 260 a is provided, so that, whenthe X-axis movable object 200 moves in the X-axis direction with respectto the base member 100, the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 can beprevented from coining into contact with a base end portion of therising portion 260.

In addition, the suspension wires SW11 and SW12 are connected to theelectric wiring lines W301 and W302 provided in the first wiring lineconnection portion 321 projecting from the first sidewall portion 311 ato the outside. As such, the first wiring line connection portion 321 isprovided, so that, when the Y-axis movable object 300 moves in theX-axis direction and the Y-axis direction with respect to the basemember 100, the suspension wires SW11 and SW12 can be prevented fromcoining into contact with a base end portion of the first sidewallportion 311 a. Likewise, for the second wiring line connection portion322 and the third wiring line connection portion 323, the suspensionwires SW21 and SW22 can be prevented from coining into contact with abase end portion of the second sidewall portion 311 b and the suspensionwires SW31 and SW32 can be prevented from coining into contact with abase end portion of the third sidewall portion 311 c.

Next, a magnet MG3 provided in the lens carrier 400 will be described.As illustrated in FIG. 18, the magnet MG3 is provided at a positionfacing the hall sensor HS3 in the carrier body portion 410. The hallsensor HS3 detects a position of the lens carrier 400 for the Y-axismovable object 300, on the basis of a change of a magnetic field of themagnet MG3 moving with the carrier body portion 410. The carrieractuator 330 is feedback-controlled on the basis of a detection resultof the hall sensor HS3.

Next, a relation of a holding position of the X-axis movable object 200by the base member 100 and a gravity center position of each portionwill be described. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a portion in which theX-axis friction engagement portion 240 comes into contact with theX-axis drive shaft 132 is defined as a contact portion T1. A portion inwhich the raised portion 251 c of the first X-axis support portion 251comes into contact with the shaft portion 122 of the X-axis movableobject holding portion 120 is defined as a contact portion T2. A portionin which the raised portion 252 c of the second X-axis support portion252 comes into contact with the shaft portion 122 of the X-axis movableobject holding portion 120 is defined as a contact portion T3. Atriangle with the contact portions T1 to T3 as vertexes is defined as afirst triangle S1. A first gravity center to be a gravity centerobtained by combining a gravity center of the X-axis movable object 200,a gravity center of the Y-axis movable object 300, a gravity center ofthe lens carrier 400, and a gravity center of the auxiliary member 500is located at an inner side of the first triangle S1, when viewed fromthe direction of the optical axis L. In addition, the first gravitycenter is preferably close to a center position (gravity centerposition) of the first triangle S1.

Next, a relation of a holding position of the Y-axis movable object 300by the X-axis movable object 200 and a gravity center position of eachportion will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 15, a portion in whichthe Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 comes into contact with theY-axis drive shaft 232 is defined as a contact portion T4. A portion inwhich the raised portion 351 c of the first Y-axis support portion 351comes into contact with the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movableobject holding portion 220 is defined as a contact portion T5. A portionin which the raised portion 352 c of the second Y-axis support portion352 comes into contact with the shaft portion 222 of the Y-axis movableobject holding portion 220 is defined as a contact portion T6. Atriangle with the contact portions T4 to T6 as vertexes is defined as asecond triangle S2. A second gravity center to be a gravity centerobtained by combining a gravity center of the Y-axis movable object 300,a gravity center of the lens carrier 400, and a gravity center of theauxiliary member 500 is located at an inner side of the second triangleS2, when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L. In addition,the second gravity center is preferably close to a center position(gravity center position) of the second triangle S2.

The first convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112functioning as the X-axis stopper mechanism and provided in the basebody portion 110 and the first convex portion 211 and the second convexportion 212 functioning as the Y-axis stopper mechanism and provided inthe X-axis movable object body portion 210 restrict movement ranges ofthe X-axis movable object 200 and the Y-axis movable object 300, suchthat a first gravity center is located at the inner side of the firsttriangle S1 and a second gravity center is located at the inner side ofthe second triangle S2. As such, the movement ranges of the X-axismovable object 200 and the Y-axis movable object 300 are restricted bythe X-axis stopper mechanism and the Y-axis stopper mechanism, so that astate in which the first gravity center is located at the inner side ofthe first triangle S1 and the second gravity center is located at theinner side of the second triangle S2 is maintained.

Here, the contact portions T1 to T6 will be described. As for thecontact portions, when two members come into point contact with eachother, like the contact portions T2, T3, T5, and T6, a point contactposition is defined as the contact portion. In addition, when twomembers come into line contact with each other in two lines, like thecontact portions T1 and T4, a center position (gravity center position)of a region interposed by two contact lines coining into line contactwith each other is defined as the contact portion. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 10, the V-shaped surface 240 a of the X-axisfriction engagement portion 240 and the X-axis drive shaft 132 come intoline contact with each other in two contact lines TL (shown by virtuallines (two-dot chain lines) in FIG. 10). A region interposed by the twocontact lines TL when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L isdefined as a region R (hatched to clarify the region). The contactportion T1 of the X-axis friction engagement portion 240 and the X-axisdrive shaft 132 becomes a center position (gravity center position) ofthe region R. In addition, when two members come into surface contactwith each other, a center position (gravity center position) of asurface contact region when viewed from the direction of the opticalaxis L is defined as the contact portion.

This embodiment is configured as described above. In the lens drivedevice 1, the connection positions of the suspension wires SW31 and SW32and the electric wiring lines W305 and W306 provided in the third wiringline connection portion 323 of the Y-axis movable object 300 and theconnection positions of the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 and theelectric wiring lines W201 and W202 provided in the projection portion260 a of the X-axis movable object 200 are almost the same heightpositions. Therefore, the suspension wires SW31 and SW32 and thesuspension wires SW41 and SW42 have almost the same lengths. As aresult, an influence (elastic influence) on the X-axis movable object200 from the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 when the X-axis movableobject 200 moves and an influence (elastic influence) on the Y-axismovable object 300 from the suspension wires SW31 and SW32 when theY-axis movable object 300 moves can be equalized (aligned). As such, theinfluences on the X-axis movable object 200 and the Y-axis movableobject 300 from the suspension wires SW31, SW32, SW41, and SW42 areequalized. For this reason, even though the suspension wires SW31 andSW32 and the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 are provided, the X-axismovable object 200 and the Y-axis movable object 300 can be stably movedby suppressing movement variations of the X-axis movable object 200 andthe Y-axis movable object 300.

The X-axis movable object holding portion 120 holds the X-axis movableobject 200 to be movable in the X-axis direction. As a result, when theX-axis movable object 200 is moved by the X-axis actuator 130, theX-axis movable object 200 can be stably moved in the X-axis direction bysuppressing looseness. In addition, the X-axis movable object holdingportion 120 is provided at the position facing the X-axis actuator 130with the optical axis L between the X-axis movable object holdingportion 120 and the X-axis actuator 130 in the base member 100, so thatthe X-axis movable object holding portion 120 can hold the X-axismovable object 200 with the gravity center of the lens 4 between theX-axis movable object holding portion 120 and the X-axis actuator 130.As a result, the lens drive device 1 can move the X-axis movable object200 in the X-axis direction more stably by the X-axis actuator 130 andthe X-axis movable object holding portion 120.

Likewise, for the Y-axis movable object 300, the lens drive device 1includes the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220. Therefore, whenthe Y-axis movable object 300 is moved, the Y-axis movable object 300can be stably moved in the Y-axis direction by suppressing looseness. Inaddition, the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220 is provided atthe position facing the Y-axis actuator 230 with the optical axis Lbetween the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220 and the Y-axisactuator 230 in the X-axis movable object 200, so that the Y-axismovable object holding portion 220 can hold the Y-axis movable object300 with the gravity center of the lens 4 between the Y-axis movableobject holding portion 220 and the Y-axis actuator 230. As a result, thelens drive device 1 can move the Y-axis movable object 300 in the Y-axisdirection more stably by the Y-axis actuator 230 and the Y-axis movableobject holding portion 220.

The X-axis friction engagement portion 240 frictionally engages with theouter circumference of the X-axis drive shaft 132 of the X-axis actuator130. The Y-axis friction engagement portion 340 frictionally engageswith the outer circumference of the Y-axis drive shaft 232 of the Y-axisactuator 230. The Z-axis friction engagement portion 431 frictionallyengages with the outer circumference of the Z-axis drive shaft 332 ofthe carrier actuator 330. In this case, the X-axis piezoelectric element131, the Y-axis piezoelectric element 231, and the Z-axis piezoelectricelement 331 are expanded and contracted, so that the X-axis movableobject 200, the Y-axis movable object 300, and the lens carrier 400 canbe moved in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axisdirection, respectively.

The rising portion 260 is provided in the X-axis movable object 200 andthe electric wiring lines W201 and W202 provided in the projectionportion 260 a of the rising portion 260 and the suspension wires SW41and SW42 are connected to each other, respectively. As such, the risingportion 260 is provided in the X-axis movable object 200, so that theconnection positions of the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 and theelectric wiring lines W201 and W202 provided in the projection portion260 a can be separated from the base member 100. In addition, theconnection positions of the suspension wires SW31 and SW32 and theelectric wiring lines W305 and W306 of the Y-axis movable object 300 andthe connection positions of the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 and theelectric wiring lines W201 and W202 of the projection portion 260 a arealmost the same height positions. For this reason, the individualconnection positions can be separated from the base member 100. As such,the connection positions are separated from the base member 100, so thatthe large lengths of the suspension wires SW31 and SW32 and thesuspension wires SW41 and SW42 can be secured. When the X-axis movableobject 200 and the Y-axis movable object 300 on the base member 100move, the influences on the X-axis movable object 200 and the Y-axismovable object 300 from the suspension wires SW31, SW32, SW41, and SW42can be decreased (the elasticity can be decreased by increasing thelengths). As a result, even though the suspension wires SW31, SW32,SW41, and SW42 are provided, the X-axis movable object 200 and theY-axis movable object 300 on the base member 100 can be moved morestably.

Each of the suspension wires SW11 and SW12, the suspension wires SW21and SW22, the suspension wires SW31 and SW32, and the suspension wiresSW41 and SW42 is configured as the set. The individual sets ofsuspension wires SW are located in the four corner portions of therectangular base member 100, respectively. As such, the suspension wiresSW11 and SW12, the suspension wires SW21 and SW22, the suspension wiresSW31 and SW32, and the suspension wires SW41 and SW42 are provided inthe four corner portions of the base member 100, respectively.Therefore, when the suspension wires affect the X-axis movable object200 and the Y-axis movable object 300 on the base member 100, thedeviation of the influences can be suppressed. In addition, even when avibration is input to the lens drive unit 2, the X-axis movable object200, the Y-axis movable object 300, the lens carrier 400, and theauxiliary member 500 can be effectively held with respect to the basemember 100.

(Modification)

Next, a modification of the carrier stopper mechanism for restrictingthe movement of the lens carrier in the direction of the optical axis Lwill be described. In the description of the modification, the samecomponents as the components of the lens drive unit 2 according to theembodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals and the detaileddescription thereof is omitted. In this modification, the configurationof the lens carrier 400 according to the embodiment is changed. Asillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, a lens carrier 400A according to thismodification includes the carrier body portion 410, the locking convexportion 420, the engagement portion 430, and a carrier convex portion440A.

The carrier convex portion 440A protrudes from an end face of thecarrier body portion 410 at the side covered with the cover 3 along thedirection of the optical axis L. A top portion of the carrier convexportion 440A and an inner surface of the cover 3 face each other. Thecarrier convex portion 440A is provided in the corner portion K3 of theauxiliary member 500, similar to the carrier convex portion 440according to the embodiment.

The top portion of the carrier convex portion 440A and the inner surfaceof the cover 3 face each other. As a result, when the lens carrier 400Amoves to a position separated by a predetermined distance in thedirection of the optical axis L with respect to the Y-axis movableobject 300, the top portion of the carrier convex portion 440A and theinner surface of the cover 3 come into contact with each other and themovement of the lens carrier 400A in the direction of the optical axis Lis restricted. As such, the carrier convex portion 440A to come intocontact with the cover 3 is provided in the lens carrier 400A and thecarrier convex portion 440A configured to function as the carrierstopper is intentionally caused to come into contact with the innersurface of the cover 3, so that the movement of the lens carrier 400A inthe direction of the optical axis L can be restricted.

The embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However,the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment. For example,the X-axis movable object holding portion 120 may not be providedintegrally with the base body portion 110 and may be separatelyprovided. Likewise, the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220 maynot be provided integrally with the X-axis movable object body portion210 and may be separately provided. In addition, the hall sensors HS1 toHS3 are used as the position sensors to detect the position of theX-axis movable object 200 or the like. However, position sensors otherthan the hall sensors may be used.

The lens drive device 1 may not include the X-axis movable objectholding portion 120 and the Y-axis movable object holding portion 220.The X-axis actuator 130 may be an actuator having a configuration otherthan the configuration including the X-axis piezoelectric element 131.The X-axis actuator 130 may have a configuration capable of moving theX-axis movable object 200 in the X-axis direction by engaging with theX-axis movable object 200. The Y-axis actuator 230 may be an actuatorhaving a configuration other than the configuration including the Y-axispiezoelectric element 231. The Y-axis actuator 230 may have aconfiguration capable of moving the Y-axis movable object 300 in theY-axis direction by engaging with the Y-axis movable object 300. Thecarrier actuator 330 may be an actuator having a configuration otherthan the configuration including the Z-axis piezoelectric element 331.The carrier actuator 330 may have a configuration capable of moving thelens carrier 400 in the direction of the optical axis L by engaging withthe lens carrier 400.

In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurationin which the rising portion 260 is provided and the height positions ofthe connection position of the suspension wire SW41 and the electricwiring line W201 provided in the X-axis movable object 200 and theconnection position of the suspension wire SW31 and the electric wiringline W305 provided in the Y-axis movable object 300 are almost the same.For example, the present disclosure may have a configuration in whichthe rising portion 260 is not provided and the connection position ofthe suspension wire SW31 and the electric wiring line W305 provided inthe Y-axis movable object 300 is caused to be close to the side of theX-axis movable object 200, so that the height positions of theconnection position of the suspension wire SW41 and the electric wiringline W201 provided in the X-axis movable object 200 and the connectionposition of the suspension wire SW31 and the electric wiring line W305provided in the Y-axis movable object 300 are almost the same.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens drive device for driving a lens,comprising: a base member; an X-axis movable object that overlaps thebase member in a direction of an optical axis of the lenscircumferentially around the optical axis: an X-axis actuator (1)attached to the base and (2) that engages and moves the X-axis movableobject in an X-axis direction relative to the base and orthogonal to thedirection of the optical axis of the lens; a Y-axis movable object that(1) overlaps the X-axis movable object in the direction of the opticalaxis circumferentially around the optical axis and (2) is located on aside of the X-axis movable object that is opposite from a side of theX-axis movable object that faces the base member in the direction of theoptical axis of the lens; a Y-axis actuator (1) attached to the X-axismovable object and (2) that engages and moves the Y-axis movable objectin a Y-axis direction relative to the X-axis movable object, orthogonalto the direction of the optical axis of the lens, and crossing theX-axis direction; a lens carrier that (1) overlaps the Y-axis movableobject in the direction of the optical axis circumferentially around theoptical axis, (2) is located on a side of the Y-axis movable object thatis opposite from a side of the Y-axis movable object that faces theX-axis movable object in the direction of the optical axis of the lens,and (3) holds the lens; a carrier actuator (1) attached to the Y-axismovable object and (2) that engages and moves the lens carrier in thedirection of the optical axis of the lens; a position sensor (1)attached to the Y-axis movable object and (2) that detects a position ofthe lens carrier relative to the Y-axis movable object; a conductivefirst suspension wire that (a) connects (1) an electric wiring line ofthe Y-axis movable object connected to the carrier actuator or anelectric wiring line of the Y-axis movable object connected to theposition sensor and (2) an electric wiring line of the base member and(b) has a first length between connections of the conductive firstsuspension wire to the electric wiring line of the Y-axis movable objectand the electric wiring line of the base member; and a conductive secondsuspension wire that (a) connects an electric wiring line of the X-axismovable object connected to the Y-axis actuator and the electric wiringline of the base member and (b) has a second length between connectionsof the conductive second suspension wire to the electric wiring line ofthe X-axis movable object and the electric wiring line of the basemember; wherein the first length and the second length are substantiallythe same to stably move the X-axis movable object and the Y-axis movableobject by the conductive first suspension wire and the conductive secondsuspension wire despite differences in elastic influence on the X-axismovable object and the Y-axis movable object from the conductive firstsuspension wire and the conductive second suspension wire.
 2. The lensdrive device according to claim 1, further comprising: an X-axis movableobject holding portion configured to be provided at a position facingthe X-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the X-axismovable object holding portion and the X-axis actuator in the basemember and to hold the X-axis movable object to be movable in the X-axisdirection with respect to the base member; and a Y-axis movable objectholding portion configured to be provided at a position facing theY-axis actuator with the optical axis of the lens between the Y-axismovable object holding portion and the Y-axis actuator in the X-axismovable object and to hold the Y-axis movable object to be movable inthe Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis movable object.
 3. Thelens drive device according to claim 1, wherein the X-axis actuator hasan X-axis piezoelectric element expanding and contracting in the X-axisdirection and an X-axis drive shaft fixed on one end portion of theX-axis direction in the X-axis piezoelectric element, the X-axis movableobject has an X-axis friction engagement portion frictionally engagingwith outer circumference of the X-axis drive shaft, the Y-axis actuatorhas a Y-axis piezoelectric element expanding and contracting in theY-axis direction and a Y-axis drive shaft fixed on one end portion ofthe Y-axis direction in the Y-axis piezoelectric element, the Y-axismovable object has a Y-axis friction engagement portion frictionallyengaging with outer circumference of the Y-axis drive shaft, the carrieractuator has a Z-axis piezoelectric element expanding and contracting inthe direction of the optical axis of the lens and a Z-axis drive shaftfixed on one end portion of the direction of the optical axis in theZ-axis piezoelectric element, and the lens carrier has a Z-axis frictionengagement portion frictionally engaging with outer circumference of theZ-axis drive shaft.
 4. The lens drive device according to claim 1,wherein the X-axis movable object has an upright portion that overlaps aside of the Y-axis movable object perpendicular to the optical axis, theelectric wiring line of the X-axis movable object connected to theY-axis actuator is located on a surface of the upright portion, and aconnection position of the second suspension wire and the electricwiring line provided in the upright portion is located in the same sidewith the lens carrier against a surface of the Y-axis movable object atthe side of the X-axis movable object, in the direction of the opticalaxis of the lens.
 5. The lens drive device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a conductive third suspension wire configured to connect afirst electric wiring line provided in the Y-axis movable objectconnected to the position sensor and the electric wiring line providedin the base member; and a conductive fourth suspension wire configuredto connect a second electric wiring line provided in the Y-axis movableobject connected to the position sensor and the electric wiring lineprovided in the base member, wherein the first suspension wire connectsthe electric wiring line connected to the carrier actuator and theelectric wiring line provided in the base member, the base member has anapproximately rectangular shape having four corner portions, when viewedfrom the direction of the optical axis of the lens, and the firstsuspension wire, the second suspension wire, the third suspension wire,and the fourth suspension wire are located in the four corner portionsin the base member, respectively.